Circuit closer



April 1, 1930. w. SPARKS ET AL l 1,753,029

CIRCUIT CLOSER Filed May 18, 192e INVIA/ZR Patented pr. l, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM SPARKS AND LLOYD EIMER JOHNSON, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNORS v TO THE SPARKSVJITIIINGTON COMPANY, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN, A CORIPORATION OF OHIO Application led May 18, 1929.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in signaling apparatus and the circuit closer thereof. Y i

The main objectof the invention is the production of a signaling apparatus in which the tone emitted is readily and easily varied in accordance with particular adjustable settings and preferably also in accordance with the extent of actuation of the circuit closer.

Another object of the invention 4resides in the production of a unitary circuit closing device, capable of ready relative adjustment of certain of` its parts whereby the current flowing in the circuit including the circuit closer is varied and the horn or signaling device rnay be caused to emit tones of desired and varied amplitude and pitch.

Further, a circuit closer capable in'circuit relation of accomplishing the advantages described above, but in the preferred form of which not only a predetermined varied tone, amplitude and pitch may be produced at particular positions of adjustment, but also the maximum tone, amplitude and pitch may be produced at any position of adjustment by a greater degree of pressure on the movable element of the circuit closer.

Other objects and advantages relate to the i details of the structure of the circuit closer and the parts thereof and their particular relative association and arrangement, all as will more fully appear from the following description, taken in connection with the. accompanying drawings, in which Figure l diagrammatically illustrates a signaling apparatus of this invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a circuit closer of this invention.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3, Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section on line 1 -4, Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a section similar to Figure 3 of a modified form of structure.

Figure 6 is a section on line 6 6', Figure 5.

The apparatus of this invention in its preferred relation includes an electric signaling instrument of the character used on automobiles usually including a diaphragm either actuated by an electric magnet `motor or a CIRCUIT cLosEn Serial No. 109,908.

rotary electric motor connected in circuit prior to, during or after actuation of the switch, to close the circuit, to thereby vary the pitch or amplitude of the note or tone emitted by the signaling instrument, and preferably combined with means for causing the maximumcurrent to flow in the circuit at any of the adjusted positions ofthe circuit closer at the will of the operator.

In Figure 1 there is diagrammatically illustrated an essembly of this character comprising a signaling instrument -1-n of the electrically actuated diaphragm type,`a circuit connecting one terminal of the instrument to a source of potential, as battery -2-, the other pole of the battery being connected to one terminal of the circuit closer -3-, the other terminal of the signaling instrument being connected to the other ter-rA minal of the circuit closer, or such terminals being preferably grounded as indicated.

The'circuit closer of this invention in its preferred form is illustrated in Figures 1 to Sand includes a cup-shape casing -4- preferably of substantially circular vform in horizontal cross-section and formed with a central depending boss 5- preferably of cylindrical form. This casing is -formed of conducting material, such as sheet metal. The entire inner surface of the casing llis lined with an insulating sheet or layer #-6- of suitable material, such as mica or the like and which may be formed in sections, if desired, and theboss -5- is adapted to receive an insulating tube 7 of material such Y as phenol condensation product which lits tightly within the boss and has a reduced portion -8- extending upwardly into the casing A-e through the layer 6* of insulating material which rests upon the upper surface of theshouldered portion at the juncture of the parts -7- and -8-. Within the casing iare positioned two substantially sector-shaped plates -'9-- and ,-10- of sheet metal or the like, and formed at their inner ends with openings through which the upwardly projecting reduced portion extends, the plates Q and l being in effect journaled upon the part 8 These plates are formed with vertically extending flanges l1 and l2 respectively resting against the inner surface of vthe vert-ical wall of the insulating lining or sheet 6 while the plates 9 and 10 rest upon the horizontal portion of said lining, whereby the plates and their flanges are completely insulated from the casing 4 These plates 9 and l0 `are further formed with inwardly extending vertically disposed flanges l3 and 14 in this instance disposed somewhat radially of the casing 4.- and spacedapart a distance to receive between them a resistance element 15 inthis instance in the form of a coil of wire, the axis of the coil being preferably concentric with the casing 4 and resting upon and against the insulating lining 6 `and in this illustration extending around within the casing 4 a distance somewhat greater than one-third of the circumference ofthe casing, altho the length and form of Y the resistance maybe varied, as desired.

,One end of the resistance 15 may, as

shown, be connected to one of the flanges, as M by projecting one end 16 of the wire constituting the resistance, through an opening provided for that purpose in the flange llland soldering it there, if desired, while the other end of the resistance l5 is separated from the flan e 13 by an insulating plate or strip and the end 18 of the resistance is extended downwardlyV through the insulating sheet 6 and electrically connected to the casing 4 in any suitable manner, as projecting it into an opening in the casing and securing therein by solder, or otherwise.

The two plates 9 and 10- are maintained in position with their flanges 13 and 14- confning and compressing the resilient resistance element 15 in proper position by a non-conducting spacing bar 60 engaging tongues 61 and 62- respectively formed adjacent the ends of the flanges ll and l2 The insulating tube 7 is preferably internally threaded for the reception of an externally threaded tubular sleeve 19- of metal or other conducting material, and formed with a head 20 at its upper end spaced from the reduced upper portion 8 y of tube 7 by an insulating disk 2l which disk also insulates the head 20- from the inner ends of the plates Q and l0 The sleeve 19- has its upper end internally threaded for the reception of the reduced lower end of the conducting metallic post 22- which is externally. threaded for that purpose, and the shoulder at the reduced sleeve 25 at the head 24 shoulder 28- in the conduit 27 and ythe head M tightly fitting the larger' portion of the conduit while the sleeve Q2 tightly fits that portion of the conduit of lesser diameter. rThe cap 26 when desired, maybe molded around the sleeve 25 v and the post 22 is of a diameter y adapted to fit tightly within the sleeve. The

cap 26 includes a circumferential flange 29- of an internal diameter slightly greater than the external diameter of the casing 4 so as to extend downwardly around the casing in substantially tight relation and protect the same against the entry of water, foreign matter, etc.

The cap 26 is normally maintained -at its limit of upward movement with the upper surface of flange 24 in contact with head 2 by means of a coil spring 30 surrounding the sleeve 25 and bearing at its lower end against `the head 20 upon the tubular sleeve l9 and its upper end against conducting disk 3l bearing against the lower surface of the cap 26 The under surface of the cap 26 is further provided with a substantially circular metallic contact disk 32 secured to the cap in any suitable manner as by screws 33 which in this illustration, are positioned at the base of a Contact tongue 34 cut out from the disk 32- and bent down-y 7 f wardly therefrom, as perhaps best indicated in Figure 3, so that the end of the contact tongue 34 lies adjacent the resistance 15 but is normally spaced a slight distance therefrom. Y

The tubular sleeve 19 is adapted to receive a circuit wire indicated in dotted lines, which may be secured therein in any suitable manner, as by set screw 35 The case 4 is adapted to be grounded Vupon any suitable portion of the vehicle in any manner desired.

The operation' of the structure will be readily understood. The current entering through wire 36 indicated in dotted lines Figure 3, passes through sleeve 19- to post 22 sleeve 25 and contact plate 32 and contact tongue 34-. VVhen I the cap 26 is depressed, sleeve 25 slidn ing along post 22 a sufficient distance to bring contact tongue --3-l into contact with the resistance -l5-, current will flow through such portion of the resistance as may be necessary to the end -18- where it is grounded upon the casing -l-. The amount of current fiowing in the circuit will be determined by the resistance through which it is necessary for the current to flow in order to reach the casing t- Obviously, therefore, when tongue 311- contacts with the resistance l5 at a point near the end -lS-, the resistance offered to the flow of the current will be very slight. On the other hand, when cap -26- is rotated so as to carry contact tongue 34- along the re- 'sist-ance towards the end -16-, the resistance to the flow of current in the circuit increases, dependent upon the extent of such movement and the tone which it is desired to produce in the horn can be predetermined'by properly positioning the contact tongue 311- at the desired point along the resistance -l5. o

However, in the construction of Figures l to 8, the resistance may7 be entirely cut out and the full tone of the horn produced at any position of the contact finger 34- by pressing cap 26- downwardly until some portion of the disk -32- comes into direct contact with the casing ztat which time the current will flow directly from the disk to the casing without passing through the resistance l5 Obviously, therefore, the circuit closer may be set to produce any desired horn tone within predetermined limits, and may be varied at any time, if desired, even while the circuit is closed to produce a varying tone, and by additional pressure at predetermined position, the full tone of the horn may be obtained. In Figures 5 and 6 a slightly modi- Y iied form of structure is shown in that the additional and preferred construction involved in Figures l to 3, and by which a maximum tone can be obtained at any position of the Contact linger 34- is omitted.

In Figure 5 the metallic casing -37- is of similar form and construction with the casing fland is formed with a similar boss -38- adapted to receive a similar tube -39- of insulating material which preferably terminates at the upper end of the boss -38- and the insulation lining or sheet -40 extends across the upper end of the tube *39- into contact with the metal sleeve *tlthreaded into the tube -89-- In this structure, the two plates -9- and --l0- instead of being formed separately, are formed of a single piece of material, or as e a single met-al plate -43- having a central opening journaled on the sleeve -liland positioned between the head i2- of the sleeve and the insulating lining 40 which insulates the plate d3- from the casing -37-- This plate is formed with a vertically extending arcuatejiange -44-, in this Y illustration extending throughout substantially the entire circumference of the plate and rising against the insulating lining -eOeand formed at its ends with the opposed inwardly extending flanges -45- and -l6-, between which the resistance -etw is confined.

One end -48- of the resistance is connected to the plate -43- by having such end extended through an openingprovided for that purpose in the flange -45-- The op posite end of the resistance -47- is insulated from the flange 46", as by insulating disk -49-- The metal post -50- has its lower reduced end threaded into the upper end of thesleeve -land its headed upper end --51- is positioned in the enlarged portion of' conduit *52- extending through the cap -53- and is preferably spaced from the shoulder 5dformed between the two portions of the conduit o2- which are different sizes, as by washer 55- tightly fitted in or imbedded in the'cap These caps, as stated, are preferably formed of some moldable material, such as phenol condensation product or the like. The portion of conduit -52- of reduced size is of a diameter adapted to just receive the post -50- so that the cap may slide on the post, and spring --56- is interposed between the head -42 on sleeve -iand the under surface 4of the cap 53,-. In this illustration, the cap is formed with a conducting contact disk -57- on its under surface and the contact tongue -58- is formed of a separate piece of metal secured to the contact disk-- and to the cap -53- in any suitable manner, as by screws -'59-.

In this illustration, the metal Contact finger o8- may be at all times in contact with .the resistance 4T- as illustrated or ma be slightly spaced therefrom as illustrated in Figure 3, for the reason that with this structure, the circuit is never closed until the contact disk -57` is brought into contact relation with the casing -37--- With this structure, the contact finger 58- by rotation of cap -53- may be brought to the desired position along resistance e417-, and then by pressure upon cap -53- it is slid along post -50-, bringing disk -57- into contact with the upper edge` of casing -37-, the circuit is closed to per-Y mit the predetermined desired amount of current to flow therein in the following manner Current flows from wire -36 to the plate -43- and thence to resistance -47-. From resistance 4T- current flows to contact finger 58- and thence to contact disk -57- and then to casing -37- and the ground. In this structure the post is not electrically connected to the contact disk -57-.

Obviously the position of the contact finger -58- maybe adjusted or varied while the circuit is closed to produce a varying tone, but the maximum tone can only be obtained by moving contact finger -58- to a position where there is a maximum of the resistance 4.7- included in the circuit.

Altho we have shown and described specific structure and parts thereof and particular assemblage and relation of the elements, some of which are preferred as constituting embodiments of our invention, we do not desire to limit ourselves to the details of form, construction or arrangement of the structures or parts thereof, as various changes and modifications may be made in the same without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

-1. A circuit closer including a casing, an insulation lining within the casing, a resistance Within the lining, a cap secured to the casing for rotary and axial movement, a disk contact secured on the under surface of the cap, a Contact finger electrically connected to the disk contact. and extending below it and rotatable with the cap to vary its position with respect to the variable resistance contact, a circuit closing relation between the contact finger and the variable resistance and also between the disk contact and the casing being accomplished by axial movement of the cap.

2. YA circuit closer including a casing, an insulation lining within the casing, a resistance within the lining, a cap secured to the casing for rotary and axial movement, a disk contact secured on the under surface of the cap, a contact finger electrically connected to the disk contact and extending below it and rotatable with the cap to vary its position with respect to the resistance, said contact finger being also movable with the cap duringA axial movement of the latter to close the circuit at various points along said resistance, and the said disk contact adapted to be brought into circuit closing relation with the casing by further depression of the cap to short circuit the resistance.

3.v A circuit closer comprising a casing, an insulation lining within the casing, an elongatedv variable resistance arranged Within the insulation lining and having one end @electrically connected to said casing, a contact finger movable along said variable resistance, a cap movably connected to the casing, said Contact finger and variable resistance being brought into circuit closing relation by axial relative movement of the cap and casing, and an additional contact carried by the cap adapted to be brought into circuit closing relation with the casing by further axial movement of the cap after the contact finger is in circuit closing relation with the variable resistance to thereby shortcircuit the variable resistance.

4. A circuit closer comprising a casing, an

insulation lining within the casing, a contact in the form of an elongated coil of' wire arranged vvithin the insulation lining, fianged lates within the insulation lining for conning said coil, a cap connected to the casing for axial movement, a contact finger carried by the cap, and a contact carried by the cap, said Contact finger and contact adapted to be brought into circuit closing relation with said coiland said casing respectively by axial movement of the cap with respect to the casing, the circuit closer between the contact and the casing effecting the short circuiting of the coil.

5. A circuitcloser comprising a casing, an insulation lining within the casing, an elongated variable resistance arranged within the insulation lining and having one end electrically connected to said casing, a cap movably connected to the casing, a contact finger carried by the cap and movable along said variable resistance, said contact finger and variable resistance being brought into circuit closing relation by axial movement of the cap in relation tothe casing, and a second contact carried by the cap and adapted to be brought into circuit closing relation with t said casing by a further axial movement of said cap to short circuit said variable'resistance.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 5th day of May, 1926.

WILLIAM SPARKS. LLOYD E. JOHNSON.

llO 

